The Federal Government announced on Friday that is would undertake a strategic assessment of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority’s (NOPSEMA) current environmental management processes, with the aim to remove duplications.
The government says the focus of the strategic assessment will be to determine whether the authority fulfills the objectives of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Acting Chief Executive of the Australian Petroleum Production & Exploration Association (APPEA), Noel Mullen,
said the announcement was a welcome and timely move, coming just a week after the Federal Government announced plans to establish a framework for a “one stop shop” to streamline environmental approval
processes.
“This is exactly the sort of policy assessment needed if the petroleum industry is to be in a position to secure further investment amid growing competition from North America and East Africa.
“Industry has long argued that duplicative requirements both within and between jurisdictions can be streamlined while maintaining the highest of environmental standards.
“Industry supports strong environmental standards and a world-class safety regime.
“The assessment and the recently announced ‘one-stop shop’ have tremendous potential to lighten the weight of
unnecessary regulation and allow for a greater focus on improving performance and competitiveness.”
Add Comment